December 2, 2013

The First Celebration of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva (photos & video)


Aimilios Polygenis
December 2, 2013
Romfea.gr

In the presence of thousands of believers a Festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Sacred Hermitage of the Holy Elder Porphyrios in Malakasa Attica.

The Festal Divine Liturgy was officiated by the Hierarch of the Ecumenical Throne, His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, surrounded by many priests.

In the sacred sanctuary were also Metropolitan Meliton of Marathon as well as many Abbots from Sacred Monasteries throughout Greece.

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is wondrous among His Saints, brought us together today, brethren, on the day of the repose of our Saint Porphyrios, a few days after the Mother Church of Constantinople synodically confirmed in the Holy Spirit the Pan-Orthodox testimony in the stages of the life of the common consciousness of his sanctity", the Metropolitan of Philadelphia said among other things.

His Eminence went on to stress: "Saint Porphyrios declared experientially and empirically the life of love and angels, from the Holy Mountain, from Evia, from Omonia, from Kallisia, from Milesi, from this sacred place where his feet stood."

"The face of the Holy Elder Porphyrios still remains etched in the memory and hearts of those who were blessed to know him and socialize with him", added the prelate of the Ecumenical Throne.

His Eminence also referred to our current era, stressing: "In the current difficult circumstance and period, which the world and our blessed people are going through, who have now lost all their trust in the anointed rulers and alleged spiritual fathers, and are in complete embarrassment, and in the absence of capable people to show the way and the way out of the impasse, our Elder Saint Porphyrios shows us the way. And this is the way of transfiguration."

"Saint Porphyrios was a real father and leader of our people, because they really loved him. He did not try to serve his person, he did not desire to gain something from the people, he did not ask to acquire an office, power or riches. The only thing he had in abundance he offered without restrictions, and this was his love", added the Metropolitan of Philadelphia.

In closing His Eminence was apparently moved by the events of the day, and said: "No one can certainly glorify and honor worthily the Holy Elder Porphyrios."

Translated by John Sanidopoulos.